Real Madrid achieved an important victory over Real Valladolid with a 3-0 scoreline in the match played in the Spanish La Liga.
With this victory, Real Madrid continues its dominance at the top of the Spanish league with 49 points, leading Barcelona in third place by 7 points.
David Alaba has returned much better than expected after his knee injury, surprising Real Madrid with his quick adaptation in the early minutes he played in the team’s recent matches.
Ancelotti clarified that, if no health setbacks occur, Alaba’s return will be more than just a gain for Real Madrid. This means the team will benefit from having one of the “best defenders in the world,” provided no new physical problems arise from his knee. The Spanish newspaper “Relivo” published an article yesterday providing more details on what the club thinks about the Austrian center-back.
According to this source, Real Madrid said: “He has returned better than Militao.” Therefore, it doesn’t seem far-fetched that Alaba will soon be a regular starter. In fact, Ancelotti recently said in a press conference: “Whether he starts or not will largely depend on how he feels. He is comfortable, and I don’t see him as a doubt in training. When he tells me he is ready, I will field him.”
Although he has not yet been seen challenging the opponent fiercely for the ball, Alaba has performed well in the minutes he played. This is the period in which he will need to prove his readiness to start in major matches. If successful, it’s likely that Ancelotti will increase his minutes in upcoming games.
Despite Ancelotti requesting some transfers during the winter transfer window, this has not materialized. However, Alaba’s return strengthens the team’s defense. Now, Ancelotti will be able to choose between Rudiger, Asensio, Alaba, and Tchouaméni, all of whom are strong alternatives who can perform their roles in any match. It will be essential for all players to contribute to defensive tasks.
Additionally, Alaba is a strong free-kick and corner taker, possessing a great shot and high accuracy, which will be extremely beneficial for the team. After Toni Kroos’ departure, Real Madrid had lacked this feature, and having a player like Alaba will be a valuable addition in this aspect.
Currently, Alaba is in good shape, and his knee is in excellent condition after a period of intensive work to strengthen his muscles. However, it would be best for the team to remain cautious in managing his return to ensure he does not suffer any health setbacks.